The Bamboo and the Storm
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
• • •
There is an old Zen Buddhist story about a bamboo grove and a mighty storm. When the winds began to rage, the tallest and strongest trees stood firm, trying to resist the force of the storm. But their strength worked against them. The wind snapped their branches and toppled their trunks.
The bamboo, however, bent low. It swayed with the wind, bowing deeply but never breaking. And when the storm finally passed, the bamboo stood upright again—rooted and whole.
As we begin this new year, this story reminds us that strength is not always about standing tall. Sometimes, it’s about learning to bend. The year ahead may bring challenges we can’t yet see—uncertainties in our nation(s), concerns about our climate, and anxieties about justice and human dignity. Like the bamboo, we may face strong winds that threaten to uproot us.
But what if, instead of resisting, we learned to bend? What if we avoided knee-jerk reactivity, which makes us hard and unyielding, and instead trusted the deeper strength of flexibility, faith, and resilience? Buddhist teacher Pema Chödrön once wrote, “You are the sky. Everything else—it’s just the weather.” Storms may come, but they don’t define us. What defines us is how we respond—how we root ourselves in love, bend with grace, and rise again with courage.
The new year invites us to practice love, to trust the rhythms of life, and to face the future not with fear, but with principled courage. It asks us to be both rooted and flexible—to remain grounded in what matters most while adapting to what comes our way.
This doesn’t mean ignoring injustice or avoiding hard truths. Like the bamboo, bending is not weakness—it’s wisdom. It’s knowing when to stand firm and when to yield, when to speak out and when to listen, when to act and when to rest.
As we step into this year, may we be like the bamboo—resilient, flexible, and deeply rooted. May we face the storms ahead, trusting that grace will hold us steady and that love, like the bamboo, will prevail once again.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
What storms are you bracing for in the year ahead? How can you meet them with flexibility and faith?
Where do you feel called to stand firm, and where might you need to bend and adapt?
How can you stay rooted in love and hope, even in times of uncertainty?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for the New Year
God of Seasons,
Teach us to bend without breaking,
To trust the rhythms of life,
And to believe that You are present
Even in the storms.
Help us stay rooted in love,
Grounded in hope,
And open to the winds of change.
When we are weary, give us rest.
When we are afraid, give us courage.
And when we feel unsteady,
Hold us in Your grace.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Bending Without Breaking
Reflect on what it means to be both rooted and flexible.
Begin by stepping outside or sitting near a window. Observe the trees, plants, or grasses in your view. Notice how they move with the wind—how some stand firm, while others bend and sway.
Now, reflect on your own life. What are you holding tightly to? Are there places where you need to let go or loosen your grip? Write down one area where you feel rigid or stuck and one area where you feel flexible and open.
As you pray, ask God to help you remain grounded in love and truth while also giving you the wisdom to bend when needed. Imagine yourself like the bamboo—rooted, resilient, and ready to rise again after the storm.
May this practice remind you that strength is not about never falling. It’s about learning to rise again, trusting that God’s grace is always holding you steady.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
January 9, 2025, 12pm ET - What Does the TikTok Ban Mean for Churches, Faith Leaders, and Digital Ministry? Register here.
January 12, 2025, 3-4:30pm ET - Join me for a FREE conversation on “Progressive Islam – Universal Values vs. the Politics of Human Rights – What’s the Difference Between a Progressive Muslim and Other Muslims?” with Ani Zonneveld. Register here.
February 6, 7-8pm ET - Join my conversation “Mindful Healing: Tools For Inner Balance and Wellbeing” with Rev. Dr. Isa Gucciardi. Register here.
February 11, 2025 - Diana Butler Bass and I will be geeking out together in an online event about the state of the world (post-inauguration). We are still putting the details together. For now, mark your calendars.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more.
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Mark your calendars for now. More info is coming.
Recently, I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.